[Leftcoastdave]

I use the HR20-700 dual output capability daily in my setup and it is a vast improvement over the need to manually switch between 1080i and 480i on the HR10-250.

I send the component video outputs directly to my Sony SXRD in the main viewing room and the Composite Video/Audio outputs to a Channel Vision modulator which in turn broadcasts the 480i signal thruout the house on channel 50.

I recently replaced my 4:3 remote TV's in the kitchen and bedrooms with 19" Samsung LNS1951W HDTV's in order to view the output in widescreen mode. I must say from 5 to 6 feet or more distance the picture on the Samsung is so good you would swear you were looking at HDTV, not 480i widescreen.

I broadcast the signals from my two HR10-250's on channels 60 and 70 respectively but as mentioned above I must downrez from 1080i to 480i manually if I want to see the signal outside the main viewing area.

Now that I have had the HR20-700 for a few weeks, I really like the capability to move from room to room watching that all important football game in multiple venues without carrying a remote control with me to flip between 1080i and 480i as one must still do with the Tivos.

 

[Leftcoastdave]

This is a bit off topic, but a capability that's enabled by the dual outputs. I'm considering the Channel Vision scheme you're describing above to take the 480i output of my SD Tivo and the 480i output of my HR20 and broadcast both throughout the house to my other TVs. With this I could create a media hub so I can watch content off either hard drive in any room. How has your experience been with the Channel Vision stuff, and do you use the IR add-ons?

The short answer is Channel Vision makes good gear at a good price. I would use it again if faced with the same application.

I presume when you ask about IR add on's that you are asking how I control the devices from the remote locations. I use infra red repeaters in three remote locations and they work just fine depending on the device I am trying to control. For example the HR20-700 and HR10-250's are terrific when activated via infra red repeaters because they have a broad receptor on the unit. My old 1999 vintage ReplayTV's were terrible because they had a narrow reception window on the receiver. I have universal remotes located in the remote rooms and use these to remotely control the native devices back on the mother ship.

As for the Channel Vision modulator, I bought a three channel unit that accepted composite video input and outputted via coax. I selected it at the time (back in 1997) because it seemed as reliable as other brands but cost slightly less per channel (around $150 per channel at the time) than the competition.

The picture quality comes through with minimum signal loss and the audio is more than adequate for mono tv setups. I have not looked at replacing or upgrading the nine year old Channel Vision equipment in a long time but maybe I should. It would be nice to add a few channels for security cameras and other A/V gear like DVD players but that is a whole 'nuther discussion.